And he shook his head and laughed, signaling “no, no, no” with his hand in the air, as if Santa's fears could so easily be dispersed. He could hardly believe that she felt them, being, as she had become, in the eyes of everybody who was anybody, the most pampered, hotly pursued, best connected courtesan in all Mexico City.

The other women, their papers in order, half listened to the lengthy exchange between the agents and Pepa, who was gradually losing her imperturbable air. From the parlor, one could see that she gestured urgently, that she offered something repeatedly. One could hear bits and pieces of the conversation:

“Hey now, Saucedo, there's no call for that … I'll take care of it tomorrow … put away that order, you devil … it's not a bribe, it's a present … look, she just forgot, and we forgot to remind her … no? … okay, but you're going to be sorry …”

“Eufrasia!” she turned and shouted, “Go call a coach, and tell Elvira to come down! … Santa, go put on a shawl!”

It was as if a bomb had exploded. Hipólito turned whiter than Santa herself. The women milled around, confirming and reconfirming that the agents actually intended to leave with the brightest jewel in Elvira's crown. They physically had to restrain la Gaditana, whom the news converted into a mythical fury, vomiting toads and snakes at the agents in the hallway. Jenaro, amazed, took shelter underneath the stairs and peered out with one eye and half of his intelligent, picaresque little face.

“Bastards!” snarled Hipólito, feeling Santa beside him. “Promise them more money, Santita. What else can you do?”

But it was no use. The agents, puffed up by the odious exercise of their official functions, did not give an inch. Not for a hundred silver pesos would they let go of this particularly coveted prey, who, her pride notwithstanding, would always be at their mercy after the major fright they were giving her today.

“Better watch out,” Hipólito explained to them off to one side and in solemn tones, “because this women has friends in very high places. You may be putting your jobs in danger … better just look the other way. I know what I'm talking about.” And he moved his eyebrows and blinked expressively, just as if he were looking at them.

When the matter was reported to Elvira, she expressed little concern and predicted a speedy and favorable outcome.

“Go on down to the police station, Pepa, and don't be scared. This guy Saucedo is just in a bad mood …”

Elvira's confidence immediately heartened the girls and the piano player. She would know. Undoubtedly there had been some mistake, Santa and Pepa would be right back, and everybody would laugh about how worried they had been.

As a precaution, however, Hipólito sent Jenaro to the police station, too.

“Find some way to listen in, and if you notice signs of anything serious, run back and let me know!”